The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-09
sNYDER's LONG WALK ENDED.
Death of the Man Who Tranlped for
Three Years INCREASINGLY.

Death or the Man VINO Iranlpeu lOI
Three Years INCREASINGLY.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND, Dec. Owen Sny-
der who has been walking for three years,
and whose death has been already an
nounced, had a strange affection, which
was without precedent, so far as known,
and all efforts of scientific men to afford re-
lief to the suffering victim were unsuccess-
full Doctors say that it was an hallucina-
ton, and not physical disease that troubled
him, but whatever its nature, its powerful
hold upon the man could not be shaken.
Only a few days ago he told the story of
the beginning and growth of his affection,
as he staggered along in the deeply worn
path about his old fashioned log cabin.
He said that in the summer of 1884, while
at work in the harvest field, he was at
tackled with a cramping sensation In ms
arms. The pain was intense. and after
vainly endeavoring in various ways to OBJ
tain relief he began to exercise his arms,
and found that the feeling disappeared. He
resorted to more vigorous exercise, and
found in it absolute relief from the pain,
but when his exertions ceased the sensation
returned. He would chop or saw wood for
hours without intermisson
During this attack which lasted at first
only few hours, the entire strength of his
body seemed to centre in the muscles of his
arms, and he would cut cord of wood out
VI Jut lilnDeT III TWO nOuTS. w Hcn
night came he would continue his exercise
with a scrubbing brush at the house, until,
as he expressed it, he wore the pain out.
For three months he suffered in this way,
but at last the sensation disappeared, and
for few days he was a well man again.
In short time, however, the feeling devel-
oped in his feet and legs. Then he was
seized with an uncomfortable desire to
walk, and, finding that constant exercise
nFol of Of h. l-oY,t in,
his tramping, which, in three years time
heightened into journey of 10000 miles.
During the first two years he walked about
four miles an hour, but recently he has tot
tered along at the rate of little more than
a mile an hour He greatly preferred the
open air, and, except during the most in
clement weather, walked in a path about
his humble house that had been worn down
to depth of nearly eight inches. In the
house he walked in a Giro e, aud his course
around the stove in his cabin is visible by
the furrow he has worn in the floor.
During the three years of his tramp he
did not take a meal with his family He
ate from large pan strapped in front of
him. Upon this pan was also placed his
shaving cup and razor, and he shaved him
self while walking. He would fall asleep
while walking about IL o'clock at night
and, upon being directed to a chair, would
sleep in an upright position for thr or
four hours. He frequently arose while still
asleep, and, leaning against one of his sons
who attended him at all times, continued
his weary tramp. When changing his
clothing he did not cease walking, but his
garments were placed within reach, and ne
seized one after another as he passed
around.
The first summer after his walking mania
developed he attempted to turn it to &C
count by ploughing. He went to a field
where his son was engaged in breaking the
ground, and after following behind in a fur
row for some time, asked permission to hold
the plough. The son stepped aside All
went well for several rods, and a feeling of
exultatlOn was coming over the great
walker at the contemplation of the fact
that he was at least able to aid a little in
cultivating his farm. Suddenly, however,
the plough became fastened in the roots of
a tough hickory stump, and the horse
stopped. Snyder was unable to do likewise,
and dropping the lines, continued his tramp
across the field, while his son. who had
waited in expectation of some such occur
renee, unfastened the plough and resumed
work.
Last winter Snyder was induced to 90 on
exhibition in museums in Chicago, Indian
apolis, St. Louis and Cincinnati for a
period of about four months, for which he
was paid enough to comfortably support his
family in their simple way of living for
five or six years In making the trip from
one city to another he kept up his tramp
back and forth in baggage car during the
journey.
Cant you lie down to rest" a reporter
asked him.
II have been able to lie down but once in
three years, and then only for au hour. 1t
made me so tired and lame that was com
PEELED to run afterward for five hours to
feel easy again"
did you call a physician when your
affection first developed!'
Yes; one was sent for and came. He
tried to convince me that the trouble was in
my head and not in my feet and legs at ALL
| told him did not need his services, and
he left. At least fifty doctors have visited
me, and as many more examined me. Every
one of them could tell exactly what allied
me, and every one differed. have no con-
fidence in DOCTORS